tech
What to watch for after Jensen Huang's Japan visit
Jensen Huang left Tokyo with deals spanning Japan's entire tech ecosystem.
TL;DR
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited Tokyo and secured deals covering Japan's tech ecosystem, including a national AI factory and partnerships with robotics firms.
- Japan is launching "Noetra," a sovereign AI initiative backed by 44 domestic firms and up to 1 trillion yen, to develop AI for robots and factories, using Nvidia's next-generation chips for a large data center launching in 2028.
- Major Japanese industrial companies like Fanuc, Yaskawa, and Sony are joining Nvidia's "Cosmos" open-model effort, with a focus on edge AI models for machines.
- Toyota is expanding its use of Nvidia chips beyond vehicles to its manufacturing processes and AI-driven simulation systems.
- Japan plans to deploy 10 million AI-equipped robots by 2040, supported by significant public and private investment, aiming to capture over 30% of the global AI robotics market.
- The initiative has a strong "sovereign" component, as Japan seeks to reduce dependence on foreign AI infrastructure and control its own data and compute power.
- Huang's visit mirrors his recent efforts in Taiwan and South Korea, emphasizing Nvidia's strategy to integrate AI into the physical world and manufacturing sectors.